Backup Girl No More: Adios To My V-Card and My First Love
Chapter 53

Chapter 13 The air was filled with the soft cooing of pigeons , their wings fluttering against the bright blue sky .

Childrens laughter rang through the square , pure and unburdened , a stark contrast to the silence stretching between us .

For a long time , I didnt speak .

Then , finally , I turned to Atlas .

You dont deserve to stay by my side , Atlas , I said .

Nothing you have belongs to me .

It belongs to Ivy .

Wasnt that what you intended all along ? His face stiffened , but I didnt stop .

Ive spent years living in the illusion you created , believing every lie you fed me , I continued , my words as steady as my heartbeat .

Do you have any idea how much I hated myself when I finally saw the truth ? His fingers twitched slightly , his entire body unmoving .

I let out a slow breath , my expression unreadable .

I hated myself for loving you .

I let the words sink in , let them twist through the air like a blade cutting deep .

I hated myself for loving the man who destroyed everything I had .

Atlas flinched , barely perceptible , but I caught it .

And just like that , the last remnants of anger drained from my body .

I looked at the face I had known for twenty years .

The man who had shared my bed for five .

And suddenly there was no more hatred left in me .

Perhaps , in every life , there was a person meant to wound you so deeply that youd never be the same again .

I rose to my feet , gazing down at him .

A soft , detached smile curved my lips , but it never reached my eyes .

Atlas , I said , my voice light , almost gentle .

I will never forgive you .

The summer sun beat down on us , but he looked frozen .

I watched as his lips parted slightly , then curled into something almost pitiful .

Celeste , he 18:01 Backup Girl No More : Adios To My V Card and My First Love 40.6 % Chapter 13 whispered , but I love you .

I really , truly love you .

His voice was so quiet , carried away by the wind before it ever reached me .

I lifted my camera , turning away from him , capturing the smiles of strangers the joy of those who had never known the kind of pain I had endured .

In the corner of my frame , there was only one figure hunched over on a bench , his face buried in his hands .

The only one who didnt belong .

Sis , will you take a picture for us ? A small , excited voice tugged at my sleeve .

I turned to see a boy , no older than five , clutching a flower crown while his sister giggled beside him , reaching up to place it on his head .

A genuine smile broke across my lips for the first time in a long while .

Of course , I said , raising my camera .

The shutter clicked , freezing their innocence in time .

And just for a moment , I thought of another day , two decades ago .

A five year old Atlas had woven a tiny grass bracelet and slipped it onto my wrist , his eyes full of childish devotion as he whispered : Ill always protect you , Celeste .

I wont let anyone hurt you .

Back then , there had been no lies in his eyes only me.

A sudden warmth pressed against my back , pulling me from my thoughts .

A breath warm and painfully familiar brushed against my ear , sending an unwanted shiver through me .

Atlass arms wrapped around me tightly , almost desperately , locking me in place .

I stiffened .

His embrace was suffocating , as if he thought that if he just held me close enough , I wouldnt slip away .